Politics 372 - Earthborn Democracy

The relationship between ecology and democracy has a complex history and an uncertain future. Ecological crises threaten all forms of life on earth, and democracy too is an endangered species, as popular discontent, elite malfeasance, and unresponsive institutions herald democratic crisis if not collapse. If our present political concepts and institutions are inadequate for meeting the challenges of living in right relation with the more-than-human world, these inadequacies are themselves symptoms of a failing political-cultural story and a lack of concrete practices of ecological renewal. Course readings will excavate political practices and stories illustrating the interdependence necessary to inspire and orient the work of ecological renewal.

Prereq: 8 credits in Politics.